Let’s be real for a second: most people never launch their online course not because they don’t have valuable knowledge—but because they think they need fancy tools, expensive course platforms, or a full video production crew.
The truth?
You can launch your entire online course with just Google Docs and a simple video editing tool like InVideo. No fluff. No crazy tech headaches.
And in this article, I’m going to walk you through exactly how to do that.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a battle plan to go from “idea” to “income” — using only tools you already know and love.
Let’s get into it. 👇
🧠 Step 1: Plan Out Your Course Using Google Docs
You don’t need a Notion workspace with aesthetic templates or a Trello board with 57 cards.
Google Docs is all you need.
🔹 Create Your Course Skeleton
Open up a new Google Doc. Use it as your home base. Here’s how to break it down:
Course Title:
Give it a clear, results-driven name. Examples:
- “Freelance Writing 101: Land Your First Client in 30 Days”
- “Instagram Growth Blueprint: Get to 10K Followers Without Ads”
Course Overview:
Write 2–3 sentences describing who the course is for and what result it promises.
Module Breakdown:
Structure your course like this:
Module 1: Introduction + Mindset
- Lesson 1: What to Expect
- Lesson 2: Your Success Map
Module 2: Core Training
- Lesson 1: [Main Topic 1]
- Lesson 2: [Main Topic 2]
…
Module 3: Bonus/Wrap-Up
- Lesson 1: Case Study / Bonus Tips
- Lesson 2: How to Take Action
Boom. You’ve got a course outline.
🔹 Flesh Out Each Lesson
In the same Doc, start writing the lesson scripts or talking points.
No need to get fancy. Just explain the key concepts as if you’re teaching a friend.
Pro Tip: Write like you talk. The goal is clarity, not perfection.
🎬 Step 2: Turn Your Lessons Into Video With InVideo
Now that your course is written, it’s time to turn it into videos—without a camera, without editing stress, and without going broke.
Enter InVideo — a ridiculously easy online video editor that lets you create course-style videos, explainer animations, and even faceless content in minutes.
Why InVideo?
Let’s keep it 100. There are tons of video tools out there, but InVideo hits the sweet spot:
- Beginner-friendly (no editing skills needed)
- Templates for course content and explainers
- Voiceover & text-to-speech support
- Create screen-recording style lessons or slideshow-style teaching
- Affordable (seriously)
🔹 Step-by-Step: Making a Course Video
Here’s how to turn your lesson into a video using InVideo:
- Log in to InVideo → Use this link to create an account.
- Choose a template
Go for “presentation,” “tutorial,” or “explainer” style templates. These work great for course content. - Copy your lesson from Google Docs
Paste the lesson text into the template. Break it down into smaller scenes. Think 1 idea = 1 slide. - Add visuals
Search their stock media library (it’s huge) and drop in images or video clips that match what you’re saying. - Add voiceover
You can:- Record your voice inside InVideo
- Upload a pre-recorded audio
- Use their AI text-to-speech if you prefer a faceless, automated approach
- Edit & export
Adjust timing, add animations or music, and you’re done.
Repeat for each lesson.
🗂 Step 3: Organize & Host Your Course
You’ve got all your videos ready. Now let’s organize and host them without paying monthly fees to big-name course platforms.
Here are 3 low-cost or free options:
Option 1: Gumroad (Best for selling quickly)
- Upload your course videos as downloadable files or link to a private Google Drive
- Add course info, price, and boom—you’re selling
- Gumroad takes a small fee, but it’s beginner-friendly
Option 2: Google Drive Folder + Payment Link
- Upload all your videos to a Google Drive folder
- Set to “view-only” access
- Sell access via PayPal, Stripe, or even Momo/Vodafone Cash
- After purchase, send the buyer the Google Drive link
No monthly cost. Super simple.
Option 3: Teachable Free Plan or Systeme.io
- If you want a traditional course layout
- Systeme.io even allows you to create full funnels and course pages for free
But you don’t need these. The goal is to launch fast and simple.
📢 Step 4: Promote Your Course Like a Boss
You don’t need 10,000 followers or a huge email list. But you DO need to promote smart.
✅ Here’s how:
- Create short promo videos using InVideo
- Use quotes or tips from your course
- Post to TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts
- Start a free newsletter with Substack or Beehiiv
- DM warm leads from communities you’re part of (Facebook groups, Discord, etc.)
- Write threads or blog posts that teach a concept from your course
- Run a waitlist before launch using Google Forms
Pro tip: Use scarcity (like bonuses or early-bird pricing) to boost urgency.
💡 Bonus: Why This Simple Method Works
Let’s break this down.
| Fancy Course Launch | Google Docs + InVideo |
|---|---|
| Costly tools & platforms | Free or low-cost |
| Weeks of setup | Launch in days |
| Needs a camera setup | No camera needed |
| Overwhelming tech | Easy to use |
| Stressful perfection | Simple & clear delivery |
This system removes all excuses.
And here’s the kicker: You can always upgrade later. But your first job is to launch.
🧲 Recommended InVideo Features for Course Creators
Here are a few secret weapons inside InVideo that make it perfect for your course:
- Text-to-Video – Paste your lesson and it auto-creates scenes
- AI Voice Generator – Choose from multiple accents and voices
- 1M+ stock assets – So your videos look clean and professional
- Custom branding – Add your logo, colors, and style
- Export in HD – Even for the free version
👉 Click here to try InVideo and start creating your first lesson today.
🚀 Final Words: Your First Course Is Closer Than You Think
You don’t need a degree in video editing. You don’t need to spend $300/month on Kajabi. You don’t even need a camera.
All you need is:
- A Google Doc
- Your knowledge
- And a tool like InVideo to bring it to life
Your course doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be real.
So stop waiting. Start building. Launch small. Improve fast.
The internet is ready to pay you for what you know.
Start with what you have. Start with Google Docs and InVideo.